Improving triage and recycling of surgical waste at a pediatric hospital - a pilot study.

Abstract

Background: Within the medical industry, operating rooms contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. As a pediatric hospital, we feel highly responsible to reduce the negative impact of healthcare aimed at improving young lives. Therefore, we conducted a pilot study to assess simple waste segregation and recycling strategies aimed at reducing waste and improving sorting and recycling in our operating quarters.

Methods: The study was conducted at Hôpital Universitaire Des Enfants Reine Fabiola (HUDERF)'s operating quarters and consisted of a questionnaire addressing staff opinions and waste measurements before (T = 0) and after (T = 1) a weeklong intervention: a campaign aimed at improving sorting and recycling surgical waste and reducing unnecessary opening of materials.

Results: Participants agreed that a transition towards more sustainable operating quarters will be necessary. At T = 1, 53% of respondents considered measures for sustainable waste management were applied, versus 26% before. Fifty-one surgeries were analyzed at T = 0. The mean weight of waste to incinerate was 1780 gram per hernia/orchidopexy, 940 gram per circumcision, and 2150 gram per central venous catheter (CVC) placement. At T = 1, another 51 surgeries were analyzed. The mean weight of waste to be incinerated was 665 gram per hernia/orchidopexy, 445 gram per circumcision, and 920 gram per CVC placement.

Conclusion: Simple, easy-to-implement measures introduced during a one-week campaign aimed at improved triage and diminished pre-emptive opening of sterile materials led to a > 50% reduction in waste to incinerate.